(KLZA)--Residents and businesses in Richardson County are being urged to plan ahead when mailing time-sensitive documents.

Departments at the Richardson County Courthouse are alerting the public following a recent clarification from the United States Postal Service regarding postmarking practices.

Under updated Postal Service guidelines, the date the Postal Service takes possession of a piece of mail is no longer guaranteed to be the same date reflected in the postmark. That change could impact documents that rely on postmarks to meet legal or regulatory deadlines.

Officials say this includes property valuation protest forms, real estate tax payments, tax-exempt and homestead exemption applications, early voting ballot applications, and voter registration forms.

In addition, recent transportation changes within the Postal Service system may affect how mail moves from local post offices to processing centers, potentially causing further delays in postmarking.

County officials are recommending several precautions:
Use online or electronic services whenever possible to ensure timely submission.
Mail items early, allowing extra time before deadlines.
Request a manual postmark at your local post office.
And consider optional mailing services such as certified mail, registered mail, or obtaining a certificate of mailing for added documentation.

Anyone with questions about filing deadlines, payment options, or available electronic services should contact the appropriate office within the Richardson County Courthouse.